Municipal Code, Complete - City of Santa Barbara

17.12.090 Assumption of Risk by Vessel Owner.
The owner of any vessel shall assume all risk of damage or loss of any kind to his property while it is within the
limits of the Harbor district. The City assumes no risk on account of fire, theft, act of God, conditions of the sea, or
damages of any kind to vessels. (Ord. 4757, 1992; Prior Code §24.11.)
17.12.100 Permission to Leave Vessel by Wharf, Pier, Etc.
It is unlawful for any person to leave any vessel unattended or unoccupied at, or alongside any public wharf, pier,
float, quay or landing without obtaining permission of the Waterfront Director to do so. (Ord. 4757, 1992; Prior Code
§24.12.)
17.12.120 Obstructing Access to and Use of Landings, Piers, Fairways, Walkways and Docks.
It shall be unlawful for any person to obstruct access to or use of any public area including landings, piers,
fairways, walkways and docks or to berth any vessel where the length of the vessel exceeds the maximum permissible
length for the slip as established by resolution of the City Council. (Ord. 5152, 2000; Ord. 4757, 1992; Prior Code
§24.14.)
17.12.130 Certain Craft Requiring Permit to Cross Main Channel.
No person shall operate any surfboard, sailboard, paddleboard, raft, or similar craft or device, in or across the
main channel, or in area of launching ramps, marinas, and turning basins; without first having obtained permission
from the Waterfront Director. (Ord. 4757, 1992; Ord. 4308, 1984; Ord. 2749 §1, 1959; prior Code §24.141.)
17.12.135 Sailboarding Restricted.
No person shall use or operate any sailboard, windsurfer or similar device in the waters bounded by West Beach,
Stearns Wharf, the rock groin at the Harbor entrance and an imaginary line connecting the Santa Barbara Harbor
Light 4 (located at the end of Stearns Wharf) to Santa Barbara Harbor Breakwater Light (located at the most
southeasterly point of the breakwater) between the hours of 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays during the months of
April, May, June and July. (Ord. 4308, 1984.)
17.12.150 Operation of Vessels in Harbor.
It is unlawful for any person to operate a vessel within the Harbor:
1. at a speed greater than five (5) nautical miles per hour;
2. in a manner that creates a wake that causes docks, floating structures or vessels secured to docks or
floating structures to move in a way that threatens safety, or damages floating structures or vessels; or
3. in a manner that fails to account for visibility, weather conditions, other vessels, property or for the
safety of all persons.
This section shall not apply to public officers in the performance of their official duties or persons issued a special
permit by the Waterfront Director. (Ord. 5602, 2012; Ord. 5124, 1999; Ord. 4757, 1992; Ord. 2666 §1, 1958; prior
Code §24.16.)
17.12.170 Power Driven Vessels and Sail Vessels in Swim Areas.
It shall be unlawful to operate a power driven vessel, or a sail vessel, within any designated swim area in the
Harbor District unless authorized by the Waterfront Director. Swim areas shall be designated by the placement of
regulatory buoys. (Ord. 5458, 2008; Ord. 4757, 1992; Ord. 2666 §2, 1958; prior Code §24.17(a).)
17.12.180 Places Where Swimming Prohibited.
No person shall enter the Harbor waters except slip permittees, lessees, licensees and those persons with valid
Business Activity Permits, who, in the course of doing boat maintenance are required to be in the water. Swimming
is permitted from that portion of West Beach bordered by Stearns Wharf, the rock groin and the navigation channel,
and the seaward portion of the sandspit. (Ord. 4757, 1992; Ord. 2749 §2, 1959; prior Code §24.18.)
351 rev. 12/6/12